The theme of the event was “Innovative Clean Enviro-Solutions for Asia’s Growing Cities.” Key strategic discussions focused on environmental challenges in Asia. The conference also included exhibitions of equipment and technologies in waste management, recycling and resource recovery solutions.

Attendees represented such organizations as the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) and International Solid Waste Association (ISWA).

Held in conjunction with the World Cities Summit and the Singapore International Water Week, the event attracted participants from 104 countries or regions.

Close to 100 exhibitors from international and local companies took part in the inaugural WMA, which attracted national pavilions from Canada, Australia/New Zealand and Germany. The events also facilitated the sharing of insights on the latest market trends and sustainable solutions through various plenary sessions, conferences and business forums.

“We are very encouraged by the positive response to the inaugural CleanEnviro Summit Singapore and WMA,” said Andrew Tan, chief executive officer of the National Environment Agency NEA. “The growing interest in sustainable waste management solutions in many cities in the region is borne out by the strong turnout for the event at all levels. Likewise, concerns over environmental issues such as pollution have led to calls for greater exchange of expertise among cities. This presents a good opportunity for Singapore to position itself as a hub for innovative environmental solutions, leveraging on the nation’s good track record in tackling its own environment challenges as well as its clean and green reputation.”

One unique platform at the event was the Clean Environment Regulators Roundtable, during which high-level policy makers and regulators from countries such as Belgium, China, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong shared their experience, including challenges faced in dealing with environmental pollution and waste management issues, and best practices on sustaining a clean environment.

According to a recent World Bank study, 1.3 billion metric tons of solid waste are currently generated in Singapore per year. This volume is expected to double to 2.2 billion metric tons by 2025.

During the event food waste management company Eco-Wiz of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three companies from Asia and Europe with a total value of more than $10 million. The Eco-Wiz technology recycles food waste into reusable water.

Similarly, Dowa Eco-Systems, founding sponsor of the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, also opened their second plant in Singapore. This new facility is designed to recover precious metals from electronic scrap and trimmings generated by local electronics manufacturers. This new plant is expected to have a processing capacity of about 150 tonnes of e-waste and industrial solutions annually.

The second CleanEnviro Summit Singapore and WMA is to be held in 2014, in conjunction with Singapore International Water Week 2014 and World Cities Summit.